Electrical switches



April 1959 J. HARASYMIAK 3,440,380

ELECTRICAL SWITCHES I Filed Dec. v28. 1966 United States Patent 3,440,380 ELECTRICAL SWITCHES Joseph Harasymiak, 235 Stagg Walk, Apt. 1433, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11206 Filed Dec. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 610,209 Int. Cl. H0111 43/02 US. Cl. 200-156 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an automatic switching device with a time lapse actuated by a door or (in its other possible uses stated later) by a force supplied by electric or magnetic means.

This switching device is actuated in response to the movement of the actuating member, remains actuated through several repeated movements of the actuating member, and is deactuated by a final movement of the actuating member after the predetermined time lapse has expired.

There are at present many switching devices which are actuated by an actuating member to turn on and off light or power in two consecutive openings or closings of the actuating member such as the common switch. There are many devices which are actuated or turned on when the actuating member is removed (or in open position) and are turned off (or in closed position) when the actuating member is returned (such as the door actuated light switch in an automobile). There are many devices which are actuated when the actuating member is returned (or closed position) and are turned off or deactuated when the actuating member is removed (or in open position).

An object of this invention is to provide a switching device of the kind that would, upon the release or retraction of the actuating member, be turned on, remain on through successive advances and retreats of the actuating member, and be turned off by its final (predetermined) advance. This switching device cycle can be reversed so that upon the release or retracting of the actuating member the device is turned off and after the above mentioned advances and retreats would be turned on at the final advance of the actuating member.

Another object of this invention is to provide a door mounted switching device (which is fully described in the description following) which would eliminate some of the inconveniences of the usage of present switching devices, requiring the use of the hand, and which would prove itself invaluable in the following areas of use:

Residential.When used in areas such as bathrooms, storage closets, incinerator rooms, basements, garages, etc., this device would eliminate groping for a switch and/or eliminate the presence of an electric switch, which may constitute a hazard in that particular area (i.e., bathroom);

Public-When used in areas such as public restrooms, municipal garages, public rooms, municipal storage areas, this device would reduce the cost of electricity wasted when power or light is not shut off due to negligence, or eliminate the presence of a switch in an area, where its physical presence constitutes a hazard (i.e., where water is present in a dangerous location with relation to electric power);

Commercial.-When used in areas such as kitchens, freezers, storage areas, such a device would eliminate both the groping for a light switch and the possible necessity for having to hold an actuating member (such as a freezer door or an incinerator room door) in a particular position in order to insure a light or power souce being on;

Medical or related facilities.When used in hospitals, laboratories, convalescent homes, homes for the elderly, mental institutions in areas such as bathrooms, highly dangerous walk-in storage areas, individual rooms and shower facilities. The use of the switching device, hereafter described, would eliminate the need to hand-activate a switching device or to hold an activating member in an open or in a closed position to insure a light source being on or it can be used to insure the simplification of a switching operation particularly where the invalid or the elderly are involved;

Manufacturing-When used in manufacturing plants or processes this switching device would eliminate hazards to health or waste of material or provide an integral part in a manufacturing process where at any one'point a time lapse is required to perform part of a particular manufacturing operation or procedure or indicate the order of that, or any other, particular manufacturing operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide for the possible use of an indicator light hookup with the switching device enabling the clear demarcation on the outside of the room that the room is occupied.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out specifically or will become apparent from the following description when it is considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a particular application of the switching device described heretofore which would be installed in a door jamb or head and would use the door as the actuating member for its operation;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse, sectional view taken along line 1-1 of FIGURE 1.

This automatic switching device with time lapse is shown constructed for application in a door head or jamb (not shown) to serve as a switch for a room. For purpose of description it is shown about full size but the size of the device may be varied.

The base of the device is a metal plate 1 with four elongated holes 5 to provide for fastening of the entire assembly. Mounted on the base 1 are a plastic plate 2, 2a, an edge, closing member 3, 3a and 3b and a cover plate 4, FIG. 2 which secures the entire assembly through holes 6 with screws (not shown). Cover plate 4, FIG. 2, made of plastic, would be better for bathrooms or other unusually moisture-filled rooms. Mounted on the plastic plate 2 are two plastic wheels 7 and 8 each one on its own axis 9' and each one having 16 teeth 10. (By increasing the number of the teeth the number of time lapses or cycles can be also increased, and by the same principle, the length of the time lapse can be varied.) Imbedded in the underside of one Wheel 8 is a metal rosette 11 with four cutouts (shown dotted, FIGURE 1) which moves with the wheel. Imbedded in the plastic plate 2 are two metal strips 12 and 13, which are terminals and are turned up and establish a permanent spring contact with the metal rosette 11 or the wheel 8 intermittently. One terminal 13 is connected by wire 16 (partly shown) with another wire 14a leading to outlet. Second terminal 12 is connected by one wire 14 (partly shown) with another wire 16a (partly shown) leading to room light fixture (not shown) and through it to an outlet. Second terminal 12 is connected by second wire 15 (partly shown) also with the optional outside light fixture (not shown) indicating occupancy of the room, and through it with the wire leading to outlet 15a. All wires imbedded in plate 2 are not shown. At the point of entry into the switching device wires 14a, 15a, and 16a are fastened to the plate 2 by a metal strip 28 with screws 27 and 29. Attached to the plastic plate 2 and cover plate 4, FIG. 2 is the pivot 17 for a lever of the second kind 18 which protrudes out of an opening in the plastic edge enclosing member 3, 3a and 3b due to the action of a spring 19 which is fastened to the lever end 18a and to the edge enclosing member 3, 3a, 3b by eye screws 20. To insure a proper protrusion of the lever 18 through the opening in edge enclosing member 3, 3a, 3b ascrew 21 is fastened to lever end 18 which (screw) acts against the plastic edge enclosing member 3, 3a, 3b and allows for adjustment of the protrusion of the lever out of the opening. Integral with the lever 18 and working with it in an elbow joint configuration are two arms 22 and 23 which are notched at their ends and are held against the teeth of wheels 7 and 8 by flexible strips of metal 24 and 25 which apply pressure on the arms 22 and 23 to insure their contact with the teeth 10 of wheels 7 and 8. The flexible strips of metal 24 and 25 are fastened to the plastic edge enclosing member 3, 3a, 3b by screws 26. An opening 30 is provided in the lever 18 for the insertion of a round wire nail (not shown) or screw (not shown) through the cover plate 4, FIG. 2, through the opening 30 and into the hole 31-shown dotted-in the plate 2 to make the device inoperational temporarily if so desired.

As drawn FIGURE 1 represents position d of an a-close, bopen, cclose and d-open cycle of the actuating member (door). The description following is for an a--open, bclose, copen and d-close cycle of the actuating member (door) which would be the more common and applicable of the two. In the following description the rosette wheel 7 would be in the position shown in FIGURE 1 when the lever 18, pushed by the actuating memberthe door (not shown), would be located so that it would be flush with the edge of the edge enclosing member 3, 3a, 3b. It means that the rosette wheel would be one tooth farther ahead to the right than shown in FIG. 1 after first protrusion of the lever to its position, shown in FIG. 1, which would be a-open position. When operational, the device illustrated and described herein, functions as follows:

When the activating member as a door (not shown) is removed from the lever 18, the spring 19 pulls on the lever 18a there-by exerting pressure via arm 23 On the tooth of wheel 8 and turns the wheel 8 around the axis 9 by one tooth farther to the right, bringing the rosette 11 into contact with both terminals 12 and 13' and thereby turning light on. Connected by teeth with wheel 8 the idle wheel 7 turns also by one tooth and arm 22 skips over a tooth, by passing the arm without resistance.

When the activating member (the door-not shown) returns and presses on the lever 18, this pressure via arm 22 turns the idle wheel 7 which in turn turns the rosette wheel 8 by one tooth farther to the right, still maintaining electrical contact between metal rosette 11 and the terminals 12 and 13. At the time of turn of the wheels, the arm 23 skips over a tooth of the rosette wheel 8.

When the activating member is again removed from lever 18 the Spring 19 pulls on the lever 18a thereby exerting pressure via arm 23 on the tooth of the rosette wheel 8, turning the latter again by one tooth to the right, continuing contact of the rosette 11 with the terminals 12 and 13 thereby keeping the light on.

When again the activating member would return and move lever 18 into the device, the pressure via arm 22 would move the idle wheel 7 which would move the rosette wheel 8 around pivot again by one tooth farther to the right so that the cut outs in the rosette would be located over the terminals 12 and 13 thereby breaking the electrical contact.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes one type of application of the automatic switching device with time lapse, it is understood that other forms may be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. An automatic switching device with a time lapse including an insulated housing having raised sides with switch terminals connected to opposite ends thereof, an actuating lever pivotally connected at its center to said housing, a pair of notched arms connected to said lever at opposite ends thereof, a pair of toothed wheels in tooth to tooth engagement rotatably mounted on said housing and rotatable by said notched arms, each notched arm engaging a different toothed wheel, and spring means biasing said lever into spaced engagement with said raised housing sides; wherein the improvement comprises a conducting circular contact bridging member with cutouts concentrically attached to one of said toothed wheels; said switch terminals attached to said housing adjacent said conducting bridge member such that rotation of said toothed wheels causes said conducting bridge member with cutouts to alternately engage and disengage said switch terminals.

2. An automatic switching device with a time lapse as defined in claim 1 wherein the ends of said switch terminals are shaped to fit in said cutouts in said bridge member, and wherein adjustment means are provided to adjust the spacing between said actuating lever and the raised sides of said housing.

3. An automatic switching device as defined inclaim 1 wherein said notched arms are held in operative connection with said toothed wheels by flexible strips of resilient material.

4. An automatic switching device as defined in claim 3 wherein the actuating lever is actuated by a force supplied by physical or magnetic means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,089,923 5/1963 Wright.

3,375,337 3/1968 Barrett et al 200-156 1,628,222 5/1927 Berth 200-6169 2,451,105 10/1948 Macnamara 200156 3,303,311 2/1967 Streuer 200156 ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT A. VANDERHYE, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R.

ZOO-61.69 

